Representatives from the PES political family signed the declaration after meeting by videoconference last week to discuss support for culture in light of the current COVID-19 crisis. Culture must not be a parallel victim of this crisis.
The declaration – signed by culture ministers from Italy, the Czech Republic, Malta, Portugal, Spain and MEPs – says:
“Our rich and diverse cultural landscape is a central component of our European societies, and the cultural and creative sectors are vital drivers of social cohesion, well-being and economic growth. They empower us to express our ideas freely, foster democratic debate and rethink our place in the world around us. Without adequate support, vast sections of our cultural landscape may not survive this crisis…
“This is why we, Socialist and Democratic Ministers of Culture, in line with the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, call on the European Commission and European Council to place our cultural and creative sectors at the heart of the recovery.”
The ministers and MEPs call for adequate funding to be dedicated to the cultural and creative sectors in the “Next Generation EU” Recovery Fund, express concern at proposed cuts to the Creative Europe programme in the next MFF, and articulate progressive ambitions to maximise the potential of digital in the culture sector.
The declaration has been signed by:
- Dario Franceschini, Minister for Cultural Assets and Activities and Tourism, Italy, Chair of the PES Culture Ministerial Network
- Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister for Culture, Czech Republic
- José Herrera, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Malta
- Graça Fonseca, Minister of Culture, Portugal
- José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, Minister of Culture and Sports, Spain
- Pedro Marques MEP, S&D and PES Coordinator for the implementation of our progressive Commission Work Programme
- Petra Kammerevert MEP, S&D Group coordinator for the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education
The PES has strongly supported efforts to promote cultural and creative industries across the EU, particularly the strengthening of the Creative Europe programme and its aim of fostering a pan-European area of cultural exchange.
Last week, Culture ministers from the progressive political family met to launch the PES Culture Ministerial Network in response to the current crisis and its implications for this sector.
The full declaration can be read here.
